Thursday, May 04, 2017

New Tortures

Since Duane is to return home next Tuesday to special circumstances—high steps and small spaces, his team has decided to notch up his therapy. Already he is walking unassisted with one cane while his gait continues to improve.

Up to this time Cat (his pt who has given me permission to use her name and image) has been stretching the back of his legs. Today she showed me how to stretch the front of his thighs, something I will be helping him with when he gets home.

This is one variation of the stretch to the front of the thigh. I was instructed on how to do this stretch, letting Duane bend his leg then gently pushing incrementally when the muscle stretches. Disregard thatlook on his face. He was trying to listen to instructions and raise his head at the same time.

Another new exercise—the ramp.

Calf stretch

6-inch steps These were difficult going up since Duane had to lift his leg higher and use only his cane. He needs master this height soon because our highest step (into the bathroom) is 9 1/2 inches!

Because Duane needs to be as ambulatory as possible, he gets several pt sessions a day. Because he is constantly bending and stretching, his knees will take quite a while to lose their swelling.